Question

What helped get Lincoln re-elected in 1864?

The Republican Party became splintered.
Grant finally defeated Lee in a series of battles.
Sherman won big at Atlanta and Savannah.
The South surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse.

Answer 1

What helped get Lincoln re-elected in 1864 was that Sherman won big at Atlanta and Savannah.

In 1864, William Sherman succeeded Grant as commander of Union forces in the Western theater of operations. There he led his troops in the capture of the city of Atlanta, a military success that contributed decisively to the re-election of President Abraham Lincoln in 1864, over his contender the former General George McClellan. The long war and the issue of emancipation seemed to preclude the re-election of Lincoln, but the military victories of the Union just before the election dramatically changed the situation in favor of the then president of the country.